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Pope Benedict rejects the idea of violence in the name of Jesus and dismisses the idea that the Jews were responsible for Jesus’ death.
In the second of his planned trilogy, Benedict says there can be no justification for violence carried out in Jesus’ name.
“The cruel consequences of religiously motivated violence are only too evident to us all,” the pope writes.
“Violence does not build up the kingdom of God, the kingdom of humanity. On the contrary, it is a favorite instrument of the Antichrist, however idealistic its religious motivation may be.”
“It (violence) serves, not humanity, but inhumanity.”
The Pope also dismissed that the Jews were responsible for Jesus’ death, rather it was the “Temple aristocracy” who wanted Jesus dead.
He also asserts Jesus died for all of humanity and the Catholic Church should not be concerned with trying to convert the Jews.
Jewish leaders have welcomed Benedict’s comments. Isreaeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu wrote to the pope.
“Your Holiness, I commend you for forcefully rejecting in your recent book a false charge that has been the foundation for the hatred of the Jewish people for many centuries”.
“My fervent hope is that your clarity and courage will strengthen the relations between Jews and Christians throughout the world and help promote peace and reconciliation for generations to come.”
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News category: World.
